Winfield Scott Edgerly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Winfield Scott Edgerly
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Winfield Scott Edgerly
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| Born | May 29, 1846 Farmington, New Hampshire, US |
| Died | September 10, 1927 (aged 81) Farmington, New Hampshire, US |
| Resting place | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1870–1917 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Unit | 7th Cavalry Regiment |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | Indian Wars
Spanish–American War World War I |
| Spouse(s) |
Grace C. Blume
(m. 1875) |
| Relations |
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Winfield Scott Edgerly (May 29, 1846 – September 10, 1927) was an important officer in the United States Army. He was born in New Hampshire and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1870.
Edgerly served in several major conflicts. These included the American Indian Wars, like the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the Wounded Knee Massacre. He also fought in the Spanish–American War and the Philippine Insurrection. Later, he briefly served in World War I. He held many leadership roles during his career. Edgerly retired as a brigadier general in 1909 and passed away in 1927. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Winfield Scott Edgerly was born on May 29, 1846, in Farmington, New Hampshire. His parents were Josiah Bartlett and Cordelia (Waldron) Edgerly. He was also the great-grandson of Colonel Thomas Tash, a hero from the New Hampshire Revolutionary militia.
Edgerly attended public schools in Farmington. He also studied at Effingham Institute and Phillips Exeter Academy. On July 1, 1866, he began his studies at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He completed his studies and graduated on June 15, 1870.
Military Career
Starting as a Second Lieutenant
On June 15, 1870, Edgerly became a second lieutenant in the 7th Cavalry Regiment. He was sent to serve on the American frontier. His assignments included Fort Leavenworth in Kansas and Fort Riley, also in Kansas. He also served at Fort Snelling in Minnesota and Fort Totten, North Dakota in Dakota Territory. Another important post was Fort Abraham Lincoln, also in Dakota Territory.
He was also assigned to several cities in the Southern United States. These included Mount Vernon, Kentucky, Meridian, Mississippi, and Chester, South Carolina. He also served in Opelika, Alabama and Memphis, Tennessee. Edgerly helped escort the Northern Boundary Survey team twice.
He married Grace Cory Blume on October 27, 1875.
The Great Sioux War
From May to September 1876, Edgerly and the 7th Cavalry took part in the Great Sioux War of 1876. On June 25, 1876, Edgerly was promoted to first lieutenant. The regiment fought in the famous Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 26–27, 1876.
Edgerly was second in command of Company D. This company was part of Captain Frederick Benteen's Battalion. Before the battle, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer spoke with his officers. Edgerly was excited about the chance for victory. Custer told him that success depended on the "young officers."
On June 25, Benteen's battalion separated from the main group. Their job was to stop any Sans Arc warriors trying to escape their village. Benteen's group later met Major Marcus Reno's battalion on a bluff. This spot is now called Reno Hill. Reno took command and set up a defense. At this point, they did not know what had happened to Custer.
Later, Edgerly's commander, Captain Weir, saw a large dust cloud. He thought it meant Custer was fighting. Edgerly agreed they should go help Custer. However, Reno ordered them to stay. Weir and Company D did go on a short scouting trip to a place now called Weir Peak. As they returned, a soldier was shot. Edgerly promised to return for him, but he never could. The soldiers defended their position against Native American warriors until late that night.
The next day, June 26, Benteen's battalion continued to fight. Volunteers went to the river to get water. The fighting stopped when the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors left their camp. On the morning of June 27, they learned that Custer and all his men had been killed.
Service on the Frontier and Wounded Knee
After the Great Sioux War, Edgerly continued to serve on the frontier. He was stationed at Fort Abraham Lincoln and Fort Totten again. He also helped protect the stagecoach road between Fort Abraham Lincoln and Deadwood, South Dakota. He performed general scouting duties too.
From November 1878 to April 1879, Edgerly was a witness. He testified at a court hearing in Chicago, Illinois. This hearing looked into Major Reno's actions at Little Bighorn. Edgerly was called to testify twice during the process.
After the hearing, Edgerly returned to frontier duty. He oversaw the weapons depot at Fort Abraham Lincoln. He also served at Fort Yates, North Dakota and inspected cavalry horses. From January 1883 to October 1884, he worked as a recruiting officer. He was promoted to captain in the 7th Cavalry on September 22, 1883.
In 1881, Edgerly and his wife had their only child, Winifred. Sadly, she passed away in 1885 at the age of three and a half.
Edgerly commanded Company G, 7th Cavalry, during the Wounded Knee Massacre. This event happened on December 28, 1890. Edgerly recommended one of his soldiers, Sergeant Frederick E. Toy, for the Medal of Honor. He praised Toy "for bravery displayed while shooting hostile Indians." The words on Toy's official award were later changed.
After Wounded Knee, Edgerly was sent to other posts in the western United States. He taught military science at Maine State College during the 1895–1896 school year. His next assignment was with the National Guard of New Hampshire. He also served as the U.S. mustering officer for New Hampshire from 1896 to June 1898.
Spanish–American War Service
On June 8, 1898, Edgerly was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the United States Volunteers. At the same time, he was appointed as an inspector general. He was assigned to the 2nd Army Corps until it was disbanded. During this time, he served as inspector general and acting inspector general. For several months, he also worked as a commissary of musters.
While serving as a lieutenant colonel, Edgerly was also promoted to major of cavalry in the 6th Cavalry Regiment on July 9, 1898. He was then transferred to the 7th Cavalry Regiment on January 5, 1899. He was honorably discharged from the Volunteers on April 12, 1899.
Edgerly was sent to Cuba in November 1899. In January 1900, he was a major with the 7th Cavalry Regiment in Cuba. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the 10th Cavalry Regiment on February 19, 1901. However, he continued to command a squadron of the 7th Cavalry until May 1902. He performed inspector general duties and looked into Spanish war claims. He returned to the U.S. to serve with the 7th Cavalry from July 1902 to February 1903. In April 1903, he was promoted to colonel in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. He commanded Fort Myer, Virginia, until December 1903, before moving to the Philippines.
Time in the Philippine Islands
Edgerly served in the Philippines from February 1904 until January 1907. During this time, he commanded several camps. These included Camp Wallace de Union, Camp Stotsenburg, and Camp McKinley. He was promoted to brigadier general on June 23, 1905.
Final Years of Service
After returning to the U.S., Edgerly commanded the Department of the Gulf from March to July 1907. After this, he was sent to Germany to observe the Kaiser Maneuvers. When he came back from Germany, he served on various boards in Washington, D.C. He then commanded the Department of Dakota and the Cavalry and Artillery School.
Edgerly began a leave of absence on September 29, 1909. His leave ended with his retirement due to disability on December 29, 1909.
Memberships
- The New Hampshire Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
- The Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C.
Later Life and Passing
After retiring from the Army, Edgerly went back to New Hampshire. When the U.S. entered World War I, he served on a military emergency board in New Hampshire. He also commanded a mobilization camp in Concord, New Hampshire, from July through September 1917. This was his last active service.
Winfield Scott Edgerly died on September 10, 1927. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His wife survived him and lived in Washington, D.C. Pioneer steamboat captain Grant Marsh, who was involved in the Sioux Expedition, named Edgerly Island after him.
Awards
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Indian Campaign Medal |
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Spanish War Service Medal |
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Army of Cuban Occupation Medal |
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Philippine Campaign Medal |
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World War I Victory Medal |
Images for kids
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The Defense of Reno Hill
